Las Leonas’ rivals in the 2026 World Cup
The Lionesses already have defined rivals for the 2026 World Cupthe team led by Fernando Ferrara has the names of the first three nations that it will have on the road to the title.
Argentina (2nd) You will meet three old acquaintances, Germany (7th), United States (12th) and Scotland (14th). At AM850.com we review the latest background information.
The most recent duel is with Germany. The Germans visited Santiago del Estero in December 2025 to attend the first window of this Pro League season, resulting in a victory (1-0) and a draw (1-1), with the subsequent bonus point, for the albicelestes.
In World Cups they crossed paths on several occasionsin the last three competitions there were duels, but they almost always ended up in favor of the Latin Americans: in 2022 they equaled 2 to 2 in the semifinals and then they beat them 4 to 2 on penaltiesin 2018 It was a Teutonic victory by 3 to 2 in the group stage and in 2014Also in the groups, Argentina won 3 to 0.
The last meeting between The Lionesses and the United States It was the match that decided Argentina’s classification: the final of the Pan American Cup. At that time, in Montevideo, the albicelestes beat those of the stars and stripes to win the golden ticket.
Regarding duels in World Cups there are several antecedentsin the most recent one they crossed paths The Hague 2014 on two occasions: first in the group stage where they tied 2 to 2 and then, in the bronze medal match, Argentina won the medal after winning 2 to 1. Before that, in the World Cup Madrid 2006they met in their debut in the competition with a balance of 2 to 1 in favor of the team led – at the time – by Gabriel Minadeo.
But if we refer to the match that marked history, we cannot ignore that of Dublin 1994when in the semifinals Argentina eliminated the USA 2-0 and thus qualified for its third final.
Those from North America qualified for the World Cup by being runners-up in the 2025 Pan American Cupbecause Las Leonas, by getting their ticket for the 2024/2025 Pro League, freed up the spot for the continent. Germany achieved its place for the 2024/25 edition.
Scotland will be the rival to secure the three points. The Europeans took the last place in the World Cup, beating Italy in the bronze and Uruguay in the qualifying phase, making it the Cinderella of the competition. To go back to the previous confrontationyou have to travel to Perth 14 years ago. In it World Cup 2002 They met in what was a 5-0 victory The Lionesseswho were later crowned world champions for the first time.
